Cluster Feeding: What You Should Know

When you are breastfeeding, knowing if your baby is hungry or not, or whether your baby is getting enough milk, often seems like an impossible task ⁽¹⁾! And if your baby is cluster feeding, then your confusion can hit the rough. In this article, we give you the clues to deal with cluster feeding. 

What is Cluster Feeding?

Cluster feeding is when infants want to feed more frequently (sometimes all the time) than usual. They want to feed in clusters throughout the day. 

A newborn baby usually needs to be fed a minimum of eight times in a 24-hour span. Each nursing session usually ranges from 10 to 30 minutes. But newborns usually don’t follow a clear schedule. Many newborns want to be fed more often than this and will group or cluster many feedings in a shorter period of time. 

Is Cluster Feeding Normal? 

Yes, it is absolutely fine. Cluster feeding does not mean that there is anything wrong with your baby nor with your breast milk supply ⁽²⁾. 

There is no need to worry, as long as your baby is:

• Gaining weight.

• Content between feeds. 

• Having a lot of dirty and wet nappies. After the first five days, around six or more heavy wet diapers and three or more poopy nappies every 24 hours is a good sign that your baby is feeding enough. 

Having said this, yes, cluster feeding can be exhausting and frustrating for you. 

Why Do Babies Cluster Feed?

We don’t really know why some babies cluster feed. There are several theories:

• It may happen when the baby goes through a growth spurt ⁽³⁾. In the first few months, growth spurts can happen every few days. Growth spurts can mean that your baby is putting on weight and getting taller, but they also happen when they develop new skills. 

• Some babies may cluster feed when they are teething or when they feel unwell to soothe themselves. 

• Some babies may cluster feed in the ‘witching hour’, this is the name the early evening receives, when many babies become irritable, and cry a lot. 

When Do Babies Cluster Feed?

The most common times are: 

• Right after birth.

• At 2 weeks of age.

• At 1 month of age.

However, remember that every baby is different. There is no way of knowing when or if cluster feeding will happen or how long it will last. 

Signs of Cluster Feeding

These are some common signs: 

• Being irritable when they are awake but not at the breast.

• Eating in short and frequent spurts close together.

• Feeding normally and fully and wanting another feed 30 to 60 minutes later.

• Wanting to be fed very often in the early evening and at night. Although it can happen at any time of the day. A baby that usually feeds every 2-3 hours, might nurse every 30 minutes for a few hours in a row. 

• Getting frustrated when the breast is just in front of them and latching on and off. 

How Long Does Cluster Feeding Last?

The good news is that it usually only lasts a few days. 

Is It Cluster Feeding or Colic?

Colic ⁽⁴⁾ is like cluster feeding in that it often happens in the evening and can come on suddenly. However, whereas a cluster feeding baby will get soothed while feeding, a colicky baby is not soothed even when feeding. 

Will I Produce Enough Milk to Feed my Baby While Cluster Feeding?

Yes. Usually, babies feeding stimulates breast milk production. In most cases, your body will increase milk production to keep up with the demand. 

Do Formula-Fed Babies Cluster Feed?

Yes, they do. Bottle-fed babies usually feed less often than breastfed babies because formula is digested slower than breast milk. However, formula-fed babies may want to feed more often, or they may want to feed for longer. 

Challenges of Cluster Feeding

Cluster feeding can be physically and emotionally draining for parents. Very often, parents think that they are doing something wrong or that they are failing when their baby wants to feed non-stop. This happens because they have an idea of what ‘normal’ feeding looks like and they think that cluster feeding is not normal. But remember, cluster feeding is a normal part of development. Exhausting, absolutely, but it does not mean that you are doing anything wrong. 

Research in general shows that breastfeeding tends to be good for mothers’ mental health. However, when mothers’ expectations about breastfeeding are very different to their actual experience of breastfeeding, their mental health may suffer. It is therefore important that you understand well how breastfeeding works. 

It Is Important to Take Care of Yourself When Dealing with Cluster Feeding

• Stay hydrated if you are breastfeeding.

• Take steps to avoid sore nipples. 

• Keep snacks and water next to you while you breastfeed.

• Set a comfortable area for you to breastfeed that allows you to listen to podcasts or audio books, watch TV, read a book, or talk to your partner or friends. 

• Change breastfeeding positions often to avoid feeling sore. 

• Eat well.

• Ask others to help you with other tasks. 

• Rest as much as you can.

• Try to sleep when you can. 

• Understand ⁽⁵⁾ it is normal and that it will pass.

Final Message

Although cluster feeding is part of normal development for many babies, it does not mean that it is easy for us. If you are feeling exhausted or need one-to-one support, get in touch with us, we will put you in contact with a lactation consultant or with a therapist, depending on what your needs are. 

We also have a fantastic REC Parenting masterclass with registered midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Dee Bell, that you will find useful. 

Love, 

Ana 

Dr Ana Aznar

References

⁽¹⁾ Kehinde, J., O’Donnell, C., & Grealish, A. (2023). The effectiveness of prenatal breastfeeding education on breastfeeding uptake postpartum: A systematic review. Midwifery, 118, 103579.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2022.103579

⁽²⁾ Kent, J. C., Prime, D. K., & Garbin, C. P. (2012). Principles for maintaining or increasing breast milk production. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 41(1), 114-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmwh.2007.04.007

⁽³⁾ Deshpande, W. (2008). Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Community Practitioner, 81(5), 34.

⁽⁴⁾ Hjern, A., Lindblom, K., Reuter, A., & Silfverdal, S. A. (2020). A systematic review of prevention and treatment of infantile colic. Acta Paediatrica, 109(9), 1733-1744. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.15247

⁽⁵⁾ Yuen, M., Hall, O. J., Masters, G. A., Nephew, B. C., Carr, C., Leung, K., … & Moore Simas, T. A. (2022). The effects of breastfeeding on maternal mental health: a systematic review. Journal of women’s health, 31(6), 787-807.https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2021.0504